Introduction
First released in 1945 in honor of the British RAF following their efforts in WWII, the Air-King has become one of the longest-serving members of Rolex’s catalog, with its official debut as a standalone collection, as we know it today, tracing its origins a little bit more recently to 1958. Since then, the collection has become one of Rolex’s most unique collections, with its design and construction often used as a means to push aesthetic boundaries and experiment with design in a way that few other collections within the Rolex family could. As such, the Air-King collection has been found to sport a vast expanse of dial colors and set-ups, with different bezel configurations and a large variety of sizes, with this ref. 5500 being the perfect example of that very essence. Offered as a watch specifically for the Canadian market, the ref. 5500 that we have here is not a normal Air-King, but an Explorer, as marked by its white “Bullseye” dial. A rare quirk of vintage Rolex, this Explorer also lacks something Explorer variants typically feature, the 3-6-9 Arabic numerals, meaning it is even more special.
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Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$3,000 – $5,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
34mm
Model
Explorer
Movement
Automatic cal. 1520
Reference
5500
Bracelet
Stainless steel Oyster bracelet
Year
1962
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Silver ("Bullseye")

THE DIAL
While normally an Air-King reference, this ref. 5500 was created specifically for the Canadian market as an Explorer reference with a silver "Bullseye" dial, as named after its circular brushed central portion that contrasts its outer chapter ring.

THE CONSTRUCTION
Featuring the Explorer's (and the Air-King's) no-frills construction, the ref. 5500's aesthetic is defined by its flat polished bezel, lack of crown guards, and Rolex's signature Oyster bracelet.

TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
The watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case and bezel have some light scratches and nicks, commensurate with a watch of this vintage, and the watch has been polished at some point. The lugs remain reasonably symmetrical. The rare two-tone Explorer-signed dial is in excellent condition, with some light surface marks, and the hands show light oxidation. The folded link rivet bracelet is also in excellent condition, with light scratches and some light play between the links and some stretch visible near the clasp. The bracelet currently fits a 6 3/4” wrist, and is fitted with 11 links.
Our Perspective
Created specifically for the Canadian market, this ref. 5500 - which is normally a reference used by the Air-King collection - boasts a unique Explorer-branded silver "Bullseye" dial that imbues this watch with an unusual personality that vintage Rolex collectors seek out in the brand's revered timepieces.